By Doug Stanglin
USA TODAY
Police in Colorado have arrested a 17-year-old community college student in connection with the killing of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway, who disappeared on her way to school Oct. 5, KUSA-TV reports.
Jessica's body was found five days later in a field in an area of abandoned mines in Arvada, Colo.
The suspect was identified as Austin Reed Sigg, a student at Arapaho Community College.
He has been charged on two counts of first-degree murder as well as kidnapping charges.
"I would like to thank the community for the thousands of tips they have provided
us ... for the tremendous outpouring of support," said Westminister Police Chief Lee Birk at a news conference.
Police say Sigg was arrested about a mile from Jessica's home in Westminster following a tip.
Police said there is a direct link between an attempted abduction at Ketner Lake on Memorial Day and and the Ridgeway case.
Police say a jogger was attacked from behind at Ketner Lake by a man who used a chemical-soaked rag to try and subdue her, KUSA-TV reports. The woman fought off her would-be abductor.
For days, police spoke of a possible connection between the Ketner Lake incident and the Jessica Ridgeway kidnapping, but it wasn't until Monday that they officially linked the two cases, KUSA-TV says.
Police released a photograph of the suspect and called on the public to come forward with any additional information they might have on the case or other crimes.